39349: Mixing with the Tableeghi Jama’at and going out with them

Is it permissible to mix with the Tableeghi Jama’at in order to learn from them and do dhikr only?.

Praise be to Allaah.

The Tableeghi Jama’at (Jamaa’at al-Tableegh) is one of the da’wah groups that is
striving to spread Islam and call people to it. It has played a good role in calling sinners and those who have deviated by spending time and
money, and putting up with the difficulties of travelling etc.

But looking at some of the mistaken ideas and objectionable beliefs that have been
quoted from some of the shaykhs of this group, some of the scholars have ruled that no one should go out with them except seekers of knowledge [taalib
al-‘ilm] who should go with the aim of teaching and guiding them.

Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked the following question: I
went out with the Tableeghi Jamaa’at to India and Pakistan. We used to gather and pray in mosques in which there are graves, and I heard that
prayers offered in mosques in which there are graves are invalid. What is your opinion on my prayers, and should I repeat them? What is the ruling
on going out with them to these places?

He replied:

The Tableeghi Jama’ah does not have a clear idea on matters of ‘aqeedah, so it is
not permissible for anyone to go out with them apart from the one who has knowledge and understanding of the correct ‘aqeedah followed by Ahl
al-Sunnah wa’l-Jamaa’ah, so that he can teach them, advise them and cooperate with them for good purposes, because they are very active, but they
need more knowledge and they need scholars who know about Tawheed and the Sunnah to teach them. May Allaah help us all to understand His religion
properly and adhere to it steadfastly…

Majmoo’ Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn Baaz, 8/331

If the members of this group with whom you are in contact follow sound ‘aqeedah
and have knowledge, then there is nothing wrong with your cooperating with them and attending their gatherings.

Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked:

We are living in the desert. Some of us have settled here and some are working to
earn a halaal income. A group from the Tableeghi Jama’at came to us, some of whom we know personally and are sure that their intentions are
sincere, but they are not scholars; and some of them are scholars who call us to go out to the villages around us, and say that we should spend so
many days or weeks or months doing that. We have not seen anything wrong with the dhikr circles that they hold. Is it permissible to listen to
them or to go out with them to the neighbouring villages or outside the Kingdom (Saudi Arabia)?

He replied:

If the people mentioned are known to have sound ‘aqeedah and knowledge and to be
virtuous and good people, then there is nothing wrong with cooperating with them in calling people to Allaah and teaching and advising them,
because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Help you one another in Al‑Birr and At‑Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and
piety)”

[al-Maa'idah 5:2]

And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever guides others
to do something good, he will have a reward like that of the one who does it.”